Thursday, July 2, 2015
What is it?
The Army Career Skills Program (CSP), executed by the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) is an element of the Military Life Cycle that encourages Soldiers to capitalize on training opportunities during transition to turn their military skills into post-service careers. The CSP is authorized by the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, as enabled by DODI 1322.29, and includes opportunities for participation in pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship, internships, job shadow, on-the-job training, and employment skills training.
To be eligible to participate, Soldiers must expect to be honorably discharged or discharged under honorable conditions, and released from active duty within 180 calendar days of starting a CSP. Soldiers enrolled in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit/Community Care Unit (WTU/CCU) can begin a CSP 85 days after their medical retention determination point (MRDP). Commanders must authorize participation in these free or minimal cost programs leading directly to careers or the promise of an interview for an open position in hard-to-fill, critical occupations.
What has the Army done?
IMCOM hired six regional CSP coordinators located at Fort Bragg, Fort Carson, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood, Fort Stewart; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The CSP coordinators work with employers, professional associations, unions, educational providers, and garrison leaders to create CSPs that yield highly-skilled, high-demand civilian careers. Garrisons have initiated CSPs in occupational areas such as auto mechanics, information technology, truck driving, fire suppression, HCVAC/R, welding, plumbing, construction, general mechanics, retail, and high tech manufacturing and distribution. In fiscal 2014, over 10 IMCOM garrisons implemented the CSP with 817 Soldiers enrolled.
Why is this important to the Army?
The CSP aims to set conditions for post-service excellent careers and decrease high unemployment compensation (UCX) paid to veterans. Army UCX payments were over $515M annually in 2014 and have decreased by approximately $100K this year, crediting new programs like CSP. Partner employers recognize the importance Army values and ethos bring to their companies in direct support of Soldier For Life.
What Does the Army have planned for the future?
Over the next year, IMCOM anticipates an increased CSP growth as garrison leaders forge increased partnerships with employers and improve the Army’s warm hand-over to civilian careers. IMCOM continues as the leading integrator in developing and formalizing CSP for the Army.
Resources:
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